Premium Decking in Lee

Decking in Lee: Villa Gardens, Brickearth and the Quaggy

Lee mixes Edwardian and late-Victorian family terraces, 1920s and 1930s houses and quiet residential avenues around Manor House Gardens, Lee Green, North Park and Burnt Ash Hill, many with long gardens that run towards the River Quaggy corridor.

Ground near the Quaggy is London Clay topped with brickearth, a looser mix of sand, silt and clay that is easier to dig than the pure clay in neighbouring Eltham. Posts still need to go in deep so they do not lean over time in the softer topsoil.

Situated only 12 minutes from our Woolwich base via the South Circular (A205), The Tree Amigos offer rapid site consultations and hands-on founder supervision across SE12 and Lee Green.

Which Decking Suits Lee Gardens?

Long gardens suit a deck close to the house for a level step out from the kitchen doors, with the remainder left as lawn and planting. Composite on a ventilated subframe is a low-maintenance choice for damp ground near the river, while hardwood suits larger villa gardens where natural timber is part of the appeal.

Gardens close to the Quaggy can sit in flood-risk areas, so a raised, ventilated subframe is sensible there. Our composite vs timber decking comparison compares the materials in more detail.

What Our Lee Site Survey Looks At

Every Lee garden is different, so the free survey checks the things that decide how the deck should be built:

• Footing depth: how deep the softer brickearth topsoil runs before firmer clay.
• Flood risk: whether the garden is near the Quaggy, where the Environment Agency issues flood warnings.
• Conservation areas: whether your street falls in one of Lewisham's 29 conservation areas, most with Article 4 directions.
• Access: how materials reach a long rear garden on a terrace or villa plot.
• Trees: mature trees near the planned deck.

Whatever the board, every deck is built on a C24 strength-graded timber subframe over a breathable membrane, with joists at 400mm centres (300mm for diagonal layouts) and airflow underneath.

Planning, Flooding and Conservation: What to Check Before Building a Deck in Lee

Lee is in the London Borough of Lewisham. Under the Planning Portal rules, garden decking is normally permitted development if it is no more than 30cm above the ground, covers no more than 50% of the garden together with any extensions and outbuildings, and is not forward of the front wall of the house. A raised deck above 30cm, or any decking within the grounds of a listed building, needs planning permission. On designated land such as conservation areas, decking at the side of the house is not permitted development either. Lewisham has 29 conservation areas and has applied Article 4 directions to most of them, removing permitted development rights for single houses, so check with Lewisham Council whether your Lee street is in one.

The River Quaggy runs through Lee, Kidbrooke and Hither Green, and the Environment Agency issues flood warnings for that area. The Quaggy Flood Alleviation Scheme, completed in 2006, added flood storage and raised defences, but some gardens near the river can still be at risk. Check the Environment Agency flood map for your address; a raised, ventilated subframe suits ground that can get wet.

In a conservation area you must give the council six weeks' written notice before cutting or pruning a tree, and the council can respond with a Tree Preservation Order, so a deck layout has to work around mature trees rather than assume they can come out. This is general guidance, not planning advice; always confirm with your local council before building. Our full guide to planning permission for decking in London covers every rule in detail. Once your deck is built, our decking maintenance and winter care guide and our guide to choosing a decking oil, stain or paint cover looking after it.

Balau Hardwood Decking

A recent Balau hardwood decking installation by The Tree Amigos Landscaping, South East London — showcasing the rich natural grain and warm tones of premium hardwood timber.

Quality Craftsmanship & Proof of Work

Every decking project is built by our permanent, in-house carpentry team under the direct supervision of Billy Maddox and Vincent O'Connell.

Frequently Asked Questions: Lee Decking

Schedule Your Lee Decking Survey

Speak directly with founders Billy and Vincent for expert advice and a free on-site survey across Lee SE12.